The Lion's Paw

Endlessly, I comb the surf, searching
as bits and pieces of shell bubble forth
from the water and sand,
the smooth foundation of this island.

Looking now, I see
glistening coral sheaves, pearl-colored turrets
and smoky gray triangles -
like a heron's bill.

And then, in one piece,
as if reaching up and out from the deep blue sea
a perfectly-shaped Lion's paw
appears to greet me.

Happily, I scoop it up
and carefully place it in my bag,
resolving to carry it home
on the airplane.

But, somewhere along the road
from the island to here,
it vanishes -
creating instead, a memory.